University of Kentucky senior goalkeeper and Manual alum Kayla King notched four saves in a 2-0 win over the University of Louisville at the UK Soccer Complex on Friday night.

King earned both a shutout and a post-game emotional embrace from UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart.

"It's a great team shutout," King said. "Shutouts are what we always want; it's just a little sweeter against U of L on our home field, in front of our home crowd."

It was a save that didn't statistically count that was King's favorite.

"You know what my favorite save was? It was the one after the time went off," King said. "I knew the game was over, but if she was going to shoot it, I was going to save it."

As the victorious Cats (3-1-1) came off the field, King was greeted by Barnhart.

"To see him after such a big game - my senior year, the last time I'll play Louisville and getting the shutout," King said. "It means the world. I can't tell you how big that moment was. It was special."

The Cats struck first at the 51-minute mark, when sophomore midfielder Courtney Raetzman found junior Stuart Pope on the edge for her fourth goal of the season.

"I thought the difference tonight was Stuart Pope," said Cards coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes. "I thought she was exceptional in the midfield. She got that half-chance and was able to score on it."

The Cats tacked on a second goal with less than six minutes remaining on an Arin Gilliland penalty kick. Gilliland got open in the middle of the field and drew a foul once defenders collapsed on her. She nailed her penalty kick opportunity to give the Cats a late 2-0 advantage over the Cards (1-2-1).

"I usually place it, but I literally just kicked the crap out of it," Gilliland said. "I knew if I hit it with enough pace, she (U of L goalkeeper Paige Brown) wasn't going to be able to stop it."

Both coaches believe the rivalry is good for the sport of soccer in Kentucky.

"I thought it was a good soccer game for this state to see - high-level soccer," Ferguson-Dayes said.

UK head coach Jon Lipsitz now owns a three-game win streak over the Cards.

"I'm proud of the fact that this is my fifth year here and all five games have been great games," Lipsitz said. "What that does for the state and youth soccer, I hope it means something. Everybody wants to win, but the impact of playing a great game in front of all the kids watching is important also."

Both teams had five shots on goal and squandered scoring opportunities in the first half.